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Inaki Lartigue, the discreet Basque who became an essential face of Plus belle la vie
Inaki Lartigue, born in 1992, is that guy you notice without warning. At 1.82 meters tall, he often comes across as a serious, almost silent boy, but when he speaks, it hits hard. And here it is, the surprise: he is indeed this Parisian Basque, in love with his homeland and Marseille, his new stage.
Not really a kid from Pyrénées-Atlantiques, rather a Parisian by birth, but who defines himself as an expatriate of the Basque Country because of his parents. Honestly, it’s touching, his childhood memories between Paris and Bayonne, this desire for anchoring in his roots.
You know what’s funny? Despite his ease on screen, he remains discreet about his private life. Married, not married? Lartigue is more the secretive type, but he doesn’t hesitate to show his closeness with his loved ones and his love of the Basque Country on his Instagram. He’s a guy with heart, definitely.
On stage, he made a name for himself by playing Samuel Gayet in the latest version of “Plus belle la vie,” a sort of breath of fresh air in this cult soap. And bam, his departure shook the audience in 2025, with a departure as brutal as it was moving.
A journey away from the spotlights before the TV rise
It’s a bit the kind of stories where everything is built quietly. His childhood, shared between Paris and the Basque Country, nurtured his passion for theater. His parents, passionate themselves for cinema and theater, irresistibly immersed him in this world, even if their professions had nothing to do with it.
Before fame, Inaki founded a Franco-Ukrainian theater troupe — yes, you read that right — and toured with them for three years. A guy who builds his path with sheer willpower, it’s a pleasure to see. Then, little by little, he took on roles in French and Spanish productions, the Basque language always in the background.
And then the TV came along, with this role in “Plus belle la vie, encore plus belle,” where he plays a police lieutenant in Marseille. A serious character but with that playful side, it matched directly with his personality. The public adopted him almost immediately.
The behind-the-scenes of his poignant departure from Plus belle la vie
Ah, Samuel’s departure in 2025 was not just a huge plot twist, it was mainly Inaki’s choice. He chose to leave the series because he wanted to see elsewhere, discover new ways of working, other universes, not because of any clash or anything like that.
In interviews, he explains this calmly, with rare maturity. He talks about a complex, necessary decision, a true desire for renewal. The production team stayed in the loop, they organized it with mutual trust. No scheming, just respect.
The tragic death of his character, shot by his friend Lenny, left everyone stunned. This shocking scene, this brutal twist created a surprise effect among fans, a lot of emotions. Inaki confessed that this ending marked a turning point in the series’ story, and it’s true, it left a huge void.
Despite the sadness, Inaki keeps a positive outlook on this adventure. He sees it as an emotional stage, an opportunity to move on without denying his past. Honestly, it’s touching, this artistic honesty.
An actor constantly seeking artistic challenges and international openness
What I love about him is this voracious appetite for discovery. Inaki openly talks about his desire to act in various formats, long series, unitary shows, platforms, both in France and abroad.
He speaks English, Spanish, that’s a real asset. He wants complicated roles, characters that stand out, different tones. In short, leaving his comfort zone to never stagnate. It’s not nothing, because it requires a lot of courage.
The projects? He already has plans in mind, advanced leads, between Europe and Latin America. It’s the image of an actor who doesn’t want to settle for a classic career but rather to carve his own path in a rapidly changing world.
It’s also a trend emerging among many young talents. Rather than remain trapped in fixed roles in French series, they want to gain this “enriching experience off the beaten track.” A real fresh breath for cinema and TV.
The public face and identity of Inaki Lartigue
Quite fascinating to see how a guy like Inaki has built a loyal audience while remaining humble. No glitter or scandals, just a serious, passionate actor with impressive consistency on screen.
He is the very embodiment of the young actor who builds his career through talent and true self-work. You can find plenty of info about his biography and career on Allociné or his official profile on Agences Artistiques.
His presence on Sud Ouest and the specialized press shows a Basque proud of his roots, who proudly carries his origins and transmits them without overdoing it. It’s refreshing.
Why remember him? A talented guy. Courageous. With the right amount of humility. Here is a star with whom we want to follow the adventure, even when he leaves the series to bounce back better elsewhere. Just good, just real.
Highlights of his career not to forget
Before being a known face on French TV, he already had his marks on sets, notably in “Mortelles Calanques” alongside Philippe Bas, which is no small thing. It’s often in those leading roles that you grasp how much extra something an actor can have.
His role in the Spanish film “Un homme d’action” and his appearance in “Demain nous appartient” showed that he did not confine himself to a single register. Able to navigate various narrative universes, that’s where his potential lies.
A detail? On Instagram, he sometimes shares rehearsal snippets or backstage moments, which humanizes the acting profession. Honestly, it changes from the usual standard clichés you usually see, it’s raw, it’s nice to follow.
And for soap lovers, his portrayal of Lieutenant Samuel Gayet marked a memorable chapter, especially with the poignant ending broadcast in July 2025. A real emotional punch that many did not see coming.
A look ahead at the next steps for Inaki Lartigue
The future looks busy. With several projects in his suitcase, notably long and ambitious roles internationally, he gives the impression of not letting go and aiming high. That’s what we like about him, this desire to grow.
Opening up to different countries, different languages, will only strengthen his career, you can feel it like an actor in full evolution.
Personally, I wonder if he will soon be starring in an English or Spanish series, it would be deserved. We will follow that closely, believe me.
So here is an actor to keep in the back of your mind. Discreet but solid, he embodied Basque freshness at the heart of Marseille, and this cultural anchor is part of his charm. For those who want to know more, this departure from Plus belle la vie really deserves a read.
- 🎭 Franco-Ukrainian theater: his starting school
- 🎬 Plus belle la vie: notable role of Lieutenant Samuel Gayet
- 🌍 International openness: projects in Europe and Latin America
- 🎥 Diverse filmography: from Spanish cinema to French series
- 📸 Discreet private life: sharing authentic moments on Instagram
Personally, I wonder if he will soon be starring in an English or Spanish series, it would be deserved. We will follow that closely, believe me.
So here is an actor to keep in the back of your mind. Discreet but solid, he embodied Basque freshness at the heart of Marseille, and this cultural anchor is part of his charm. For those who want to know more, this departure from Plus belle la vie really deserves a read.
- 🎭 Franco-Ukrainian theater: his starting school
- 🎬 Plus belle la vie: notable role of Lieutenant Samuel Gayet
- 🌍 International openness: projects in Europe and Latin America
- 🎥 Diverse filmography: from Spanish cinema to French series
- 📸 Discreet private life: sharing authentic moments on Instagram
